Take Action To Reduce Climate Change And Lower Monthly Bills

Share This:

The crisis of climate change

The climate is completely off-kilter. As humans, we’ve contributed to an atmospheric rise in climate change since the industrial revolution. It all traces back to our abundant consumption and fossil fuel use. In case there are skeptics in my audience, the evidence is clear that humans impacted climate change dramatically.

A large section of the mighty West Antarctica ice sheet has begun falling apart and its continued melting now appears to be unstoppable, two groups of scientists reported on Monday.

Something snapped inside me, and I felt deep pain. How could we have done this to ourselves and the planet? I actually teared up, thinking about how we treat each other and this planet. It really hurt.

The American scientists said the rise could be anywhere from one to four feet, and added that six feet could not be ruled out. Along much of the East Coast, the situation will be worse than the global average because the land there is sinking…

There goes New York City, Boston, parts of D.C., Miami, and more. We don’t have a contingency plan for all these people. The devastation would affect tens of millions of people. Individuals would flock to the west for shelter and a new start; at least, those who could afford it. I hesitate to think about those who might not have the economic freedom to up and leave low altitude areas.

Our consumer, consumption culture

This unpleasant, scary picture for the planet’s future is contrasted by a strong consumer culture that values growth, dominance, bulk, and abundance. When gross domestic product (GDP) estimates tumble on the national scale, economists, politicians, and Wall Street scream bloody murder. But when the temperatures are rising globally, and sea level rise is threatening entire countries, there’s silence.

We are an economy that’s feasting off of short-term gains, prolonged ignorance, and immediate gratification. Climate change skeptics are a dime-a-dozen and they’re propagating messages that are scientifically unproven, untrue, and dangerous. It’s all motivated by moneyed interests, and they’re looking for a way to keep the consumption going.

30 stocks make up the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA)

Our entire economic system is predicated on continued growth, but it will slow. Whether because of declining population growth rates, economic instability, or climate change, the economy will need a correction. It’s hard to fathom the willful, blissful ignorance of the markets, but the economy has not yet accounted for the pains of climate change. Just look at the most recent national weather tragedy, Hurricane Sandy:

An estimated 1.8 million structures and homes were destroyed or damaged, with economic losses exceeding $65 billion.

Unfortunately, the storms, floods, and wacky weather are only expected to increase. The economic consequences will be devastating for this country. Something’s gotta give.

Make an individual correction, save big

Frugality, simple living, thriftiness — whatever you want to call it — goes hand in hand with reducing carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere (CO2). By consuming less and saving more, your actions can greatly help the environment.

Climate change is simple science. The more CO2 in the atmosphere, the more the earth’s temperatures will rise. The sun’s rays/heat will be trapped in our atmosphere, and keep us warmer. We needed some CO2, but now we have too much.

Congress and the greater world seem doomed to delay powerful action to reduce the effect of carbon emissions. While moneyed interests, lobbying groups, and industry experts delay necessary change, you needn’t stand still. There’s still time to take action.

Here are 7 ways you can make an individual impact on climate change and save big:

Related

Comments

You’ve meshed the topics of finance and environmentalism well. Although many people claim to be both frugal and energy-conscious, it’s not as widespread as it ought to be. What gets me is when my my neighbor bought a new Prius to ‘help the environment’ so she can drive to work .5 miles away. Meanwhile, I ride my bike 3.5 miles. Who is really environmentally friendly? The lady who boasts but spends spends spends or the 24-year-old who humbly rides his bike everywhere in the city?

This is a really important, key point. The Toyota Prius is a large statement for an environmentally-minded person, but you’re right, there are greener methods of transportation. It’s a delicate balance. I don’t want to assume, presume, or tell people how to live. At the same point, being green usually means less stuff — not more.

Of course I don’t know this neighbor at all, but let’s be careful not to hold everyone to the same standard. I would love to bike to work, but it’s not really feasible with two kiddos, two bags for each of them, plus my pump bag, and my lunch. It’s just an example – this neighbor might be doing a really great job in other ways.

On another note, I’d really encourage folks to grow at least one edible plant themselves, even if you are doing a container garden on your apartment balcony. Saves money and the plants are doing their part to combat global warming.

This is a great topic and something that should not be taken lightly. I really don’t understand all the “skeptics” trying to mislead the public with statements such as “well it’s cold today, where is global warming?” That’s just an idiotic statement to make.

I also don’t understand how they claim that helping the environment so that our kids have a cleaner planet is somehow a conspiracy.

We should be doing all we can to have a better life and have a cleaner planet for us and for all the generations that will follow.

Millennials have every right to be angry with mainly Baby Boomers who have selfishly borrowed huge amounts of money from future generations of Americans to elevate their own standard of living and wreaked havoc on the planet. But to my amazement, all the millennials I know are optimistic and positive about the future. Magnanimous, to say the least.